Through The Ups & Downs
Couple; HarrisonXAddilyn
Rating; Mature
Disclaimer: I do not own HTTYD or any songs I might use! Also, from this point in the story and in future chapters, I do not own the character; Ella(Eira) Solveig. She belongs to my good friend, ShadowSpirit020.
12) When He Returns
Harrison and Dexter must have slept until 8:30 am Monday morning, 4/6/2015, after going to bed so early when they informed family and friends about the deployment. It had not been easy to do but necessary to let them know what was going on. Upon waking up at said time, everyone had already left for school or work. Of course, they didn't want to go because they felt they were losing time with Harrison, given the fact he was deploying for six months to Kuwait on Saturday afternoon from Arc Isle Airport. However, Harrison let them know that he and Dexter weren't going anywhere and there was no need to take time away from jobs or an education just to see them.
Harrison was up first; he used the bathroom, shower, shaved, and then returned to his room to get dressed. Dexter had gone in after Harrison to do the same things, then the both of them met in the kitchen for breakfast and coffee. The rest of the day got spent at the Haddock House, relaxing and talking about the deployment until the family came home or friends came over. Syrus had said he would catch them another time because his family wanted him back for now. It was understandable as they'd been away for three months, and now about to leave again for six months, then wouldn't even be returning to Arc Isle when it was over, they were going back to the USA.
There was a small party to welcome Dexter and Harrison home that Monday night, even Harrison's grandparents came and he was happy to see them. On Tuesday the 7th, the day was calm with Harrison and Dexter taking care of thing things for while they were away and that night, Dexter sat down with Viviana and Spencer to ask if they could keep the arrangement of Hailey staying with them while Dexter was deployed. Of course, the Haddock parents agreed, and the date on the papers got extended until Dexter returned to Arc Isle. The payments would continue as they had while the boys were in the US on their station assignments. Also, Dexter said that when they got back home, he would be getting an apartment and letting Hailey live there if he ever had to go away again, then would set up the money situation to be paid automatically while leaving something for Hailey to use.
On Wednesday, Harrison left the house to go to Berky's and see his old boss and crew; they were excited to see him too!
/Flashback; Wednesday the 8th of April 2015/
The time was 9:15 am as Harrison decided to go to his old job and visit the workers and Calvin for a bit since Dexter was off getting some personal care items for himself during deployment. Harrison left Toothless at home; it was easier, so no one got all worked up about there being a Night Fury on the premises. Harrison pulled into Berkys parking lot shut off the truck, then he stepped out and walked through the right side entry door to see familiar faces.
"Hey guys, guess who is back until Saturday?" Harrison greeted.
"HARRISON!" the employees cheered all rushing over to to the front counter to see him. Calvin hurried out of the back office and hugged Harrison tightly.
"Finally back are you?" Calvin asked with a smile.
"Just until Saturday afternoon, then I' leave again," Harrison replied calmly.
"Back to the states?" asked Sierra.
"Nope. Heading overseas for six months," Harrison informed as they gasped.
"Where to?" asked another worker.
"Kuwait," Harrison responded. "I guess the Americans need a little dragon support, so my platoon and I are going to join up with them until October," he added.
"Those enemies won't know what hit them," Calvin chuckled. All of the employees were aware that Harrison had a Night Fury and not much could hold a candle to that dragon.
"Where are you stationing?" said one of the males. "I got an American friend I play online with who is deployed in Kuwait,"
"We're going to Camp Arifjan," Harrison answered.
"Nah, won't be where he is but you two will be within twenty miles of one another," the employee mentioned.
"So, what's been going on here?" Harrison asked now.
"Same shit, different day. Miss having you here, the drive-thru times were great," Calvin laughed a little. "When do you leave?" he inquired.
"Saturday at two in the afternoon from Arc Isle. Flying to Copenhagen, overnight layover, then onto Vienna and Cairo, landing in Kuwait International around 6:30 pm, their time zone, should be 4:30 here. Then we have a forty-minute drive to the camp," Harrison enlightened.
"Can I recruit you until Friday night?" Calvin asked.
"Sorry, boss. I got too much to do with packing and going away parties," Harrison smiled.
"How about when you get back? You'll need something to keep your hands busy after the tour," Calvin wondered hopefully.
"Unfortunately, for the reason that I still don't know, we're going to the US again after the deployment ends in September. Not sure why, we haven't been told, but after that whole thing is over, I'll be back, and as long as I'm not getting assigned anywhere else, sure, I'll come back," Harrison stated.
"You get leave time, right?" Sierra pondered.
"Of course. Not sure when yet, I assume somewhere in the halfway mark," Harrison nodded. For the next half hour, it was quiet at Berkys with only a few customers, and then it got slammed hard at 9:50 am. Harrison hated watching them be short staffed and running around trying to get things done. Harrison decided to help out, he went to his truck and grabbed his extra work shirt, then the name tag. Harrison was wearing his sneakers; he was sure he'd be okay.
Harrison went into the bathroom and threw the shirt on and buttoned it up, then put the tag in place as he washed his hands and came out then walked behind the counter.
"Harrison, what are you doing?" Calvin asked.
"Helpin' out for the rush," Harrison replied. Calvin grinned like an idiot and kept working.
"Better clock in then!" Calvin called while bagging up an order. Harrison chuckled as he clocked in and then started filling orders for front counter until the guests were all taken care of.
"Sierra, go go collect trays and wipe down tables, but keep an eye for guests," Harrison told her. Sierra nodded with a broad smile as Harrison moved over to the drive-thru window. "Cal, help on sandwiches, I got this," he said.
"Man, it's good to have you back even if just for a few hours," Calvin stated as he moved away from the corner position to the sandwich line and started helping with making the sandwiches. Harrison took over calling out what he needed for fries, nuggets, or tenders while bagging up food to hand out the window with customers drinks.
[8 pm]
"Harrison, I friggin owe you my life for stepping in to help out," Calvin shook Harrison's hand after he had clocked out. Harrison worked from 10:00 am to 8 pm because it got slammed through breakfast, lunch, and into dinner. It was then that Harrison realized there was an event going on in town and everyone was choosing to dine out for quick dinner purposes. Harrison decided to stay and help the crew and Calvin out.
"Not a problem. Don't worry, I'll come see you on Friday before I leave," Harrison smiled as he shook Calvin's hand then he left the building and drove home.
/End Flashback/
Yeah, Harrison got home that night and was met by his worried family for where he'd been all day. Harrison told them that Berkys got slammed at 10 am so he stepped in to help, and it ended up being all day he was there but didn't care because he had nothing else to do. Harrison made himself something to eat then relaxed until 11 pm when he decided to go to bed.
Thursday was uneventful too so Harrison decided to go back to Berkys and work a twelve hour day from 9 am to 9 pm. Why shouldn't he? Calvin had an emergency with his new baby, so Harrison chose to fill in. Finally, though, it was Friday. Harrison and Dexter spent all day packing their bags for the departure tomorrow afternoon. Hailey and Nate were home, so was Viviana and Spencer. It was Harrison and Dexter's last day for a long time, and they wanted to spend time with them.
After school hours had ended, Addy, Frankie, Regina, and TJ came over to hang over and for dinner. A small going away party for the boys happened too. Now, it was 8 pm with only Addilyn still over as Harrison was helping her with homework that involved Strike Class dragons and they were in Harrison's room using his desk.
"So, the Strike Class dragons are the most elite ones?" Addilyn asked.
"They seem to be; the other dragons don't challenge them," Harrison replied. "What's your next question?"
"Um, information about Night Furies?" Addy inquired.
"Well, they have retractable teeth and can fly faster than the speed of sound or so I've heard. I never tested it," Harrison chuckled a little and Addy did too. "Uh, I know that Toothless has a wing span of forty-eight feet and weighs close to 1,400 pounds. You can tell a Night Furies age by the little tendrils under their chins. If they lose their tail fins, they will never fly again because the tail controls the rest of their flight," he continued.
"You know so much," Addilyn smiled softly.
"Well, I make it my business to know about my dragon," Harrison informed with a shrug. "So, is that everything?" he asked as Addilyn closed the book and put her things away in her backpack.
"Yeah, that's all of it. Thanks for helping me Harrison, and agreeing to take me home since my car is getting fixed," Addilyn told him. Initially, Addy arrived with Frankie and the twins since her car was in the shop until Monday afternoon.
"It's no trouble. Are you ready to go home?" Harrison asked. Addilyn nodded as the two stood up and exited Harrison's room, then walked down the stairs. "I'm taking Addy home, be back in twenty!" Harrison called to his parents, Dexter, Hailey, and Nate who were sitting in the living room.
"Okay, son!" Spencer shouted back. Harrison led Addilyn to his truck, and the two climbed in, then buckled their seatbelts. Harrison started the vehicle up and backed out of the driveway, then headed down the road to Addilyn's place. Addy only lived ten minutes away, so it wasn't a far drive for him.
{Addilyn's POV}
This was my last chance to tell Harrison that I liked him a lot. Tomorrow, Harrison was getting on a plane to go to Kuwait for six months and even after that tour ended, he was returning to the US. I had to say something tonight, even if he didn't like me back, I had to tell him how I felt. Who knows, maybe if he knew I liked him, he would see me differently as some point. Either way, I wouldn't know what the future held for Harrison and I if I didn't speak up now.
"You know, I'm really gonna miss you when you leave tomorrow, Harrison," I started.
"Oh, come on. Don't you get all emotional on me too, Addy," Harrison smiled softly and glanced at me. "We'll still be able to instant message and e-mail, possibly Skype a few times if you want to that is?" he added.
"Of course, yes. I'd like that a lot," I replied. "It's just going to be weird not having you around again,"
"I know. I'm going to miss all of you too. It's been great to be home, and hey, I'll get leave time at some point, so you'll see me then," Harrison reminded. Reaching my driveway, Harrison pulled in and parked as he sat back to relax and I found myself not getting out of the truck, only looking down and fiddling with my fingers. "Something wrong?"
"Hm? No, no. I'm okay, I just..." I started gently and was trying to keep myself from crying, but I guess Harrison figured that out because he shifted to lift my chin with his face.
"Hey," Harrison began as I couldn't hide the tears that had formed and threatened to fall down my face. "What's the matter, Addy?"
I couldn't help it, I wrapped my arms around his midsection and hugged him tightly while burying my face in his shirt. Much to my surprised, he hugged me back.
"I-I want you to be safe out there, Harrison. Please, be careful," I pleaded lightly.
"You know I will be as safe as I can, Addilyn, but I'm not invincible, and things happen sometimes. Don't worry; I'm trained to fight in wars," Harrison tried to assure me. "Where is all this coming from? I haven't even gotten it from mom yet," he asked next. I pulled myself off him and wiped my eyes.
"I-I'm sorry, Harrison. I just-I'm terrified of never seeing you again. You mean a lot to me and I couldn't bear the thought of you being gone. Not in the dead sense, just in general," I admitted. "Harrison, I have a confession to make. I-I don't see you as a friend anymore, I like you, a lot and have since Freshman Year when we did that play. I want...to be with you," There. I'd said it, and now I could only pray that he didn't throw me out of his truck and demand I never speak to him again.
I couldn't quite tell what he was thinking, his face looked more surprised than anything else. I just wanted him to say something, anything as long as it wasn't 'get out.'
"You like me? As in more than a friend?" Harrison asked once he found his words. I nodded to him. "Addilyn, I-I don't know how to respond to this. We've...always been friends for as long as I can remember. Fifth grade I think," he stated.
"Y-Yeah, that's when we met," I confirmed. "I wanted to tell you how I felt before but got scared it might...ruin our friendship if I did. With you about to leave for Kuwait and I won't see you for a long time, I just...I wanted you to know my feelings for you," I added.
Harrison seemed to sit back with a sigh. "Addy, I'll be completely honest with you here, I don't know how I feel for you. I know I care about you as a friend, but I'm not sure if it's more than that. Truthfully, I don't know if I can...give you an answer tonight because I'm deploying tomorrow for six months, then after that, going on to the US again. I'm wicked stressed out and I...don't think I can pile this on top of all that at the moment,"
I felt my heart skip a beat, worrying that he would just say to forget it. This had been one of my fears from the beginning, making things harder for him. However, I was shocked to feel his hand on mine as I looked him in the eyes. "Look. I don't know how I feel for you, Addliyn and right now, I don't have time to try and figure it out because of everything going on. But, when things settle down in Kuwait, and I've adjusted to being there, and how things work, I'll give it some thought, okay?"
"Y-You mean you'll try and figure out if you...return my feelings or not?" I asked, surprised at his response.
"Yes and when I get back to Arc Isle, we'll talk about things again. Alright? Is that...fair? I'll think about it while I'm deployed, and when I return, we'll revisit this matter then?" Harrison asked.
"Yes. Yes, that's more than fair, Harrison. Thank you," I said quickly. Harrison nodded, relaxing a little. "I, uh, I should probably get inside," I added afterward then leaned in fast and kissed his cheek before grabbing my bag and getting out of the truck.
"See you tomorrow when I leave?" he asked and I nodded to him.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world," I replied and waved to him as I entered my house, dropping my backpack on the floor and pressing my back against the door with a sigh of relief almost. Harrison agreed to think about his feelings, and we would talk about it again. It wasn't a no, but it was a maybe. All I had to do was wait for him to get back and I'd have my answer when he returns.